What about wireless over the ear headphones? You don't have to get ones that totally envelope your ear, so you could still hear surrounding noises.
I have a pair that are comfortable, use Bluetooth but you can also used them wired, and they don't envelope your ears. When I get home I can find out what brand it is, it was on tech woot about a week ago.
Edit:
Here they are. Meelectronics AF32.